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Arsene Wenger is facing yet another player shortage with both Mikel Arteta and goalscorer Yaya Sanogo injured during the course of Wednesday’s 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund.
After the match Wenger confirmed that Arteta has injured his calf again and that it looks “quite serious”. Sanogo was substituted with what looks like a hamstring problem, Wenger said. Danny Welbeck was not fit to be on the bench.
Wenger also said that Jack Wilshere will have a scan tomorrow on an ankle injury which will determine whether the 22-year-old needs surgery. “The specialist will decide that,” Wenger said. Either way it looks as if he is facing a long time out, possibly up to three months.
Welbeck could not play against Dortmund, although his is not a long-term problem. There are other first team players out for varying lengths of time, including Theo Walcott, who will be back soon as well as Mesut Ozil, Mathieu Debuchy, Wojciech Szczesny, Serge Gnabry and David Ospina.
Arsenal v Borussia Dortmund - player ratings
Arsenal have qualified for the Champions League knockout stages for the 15th consecutive year and could yet win the group if Dortmund lose their final game to Anderlecht and Wenger’s side beat Galatasaray in Istanbul. Wenger said: “When you look at the football club you realise it is not always easy to be consistent. I am very proud of that. I think that as well the club deserves a lot of the credit. We want more than that [just to reach the second round] but we are consistent.”
Did he feel that he got the credit for that record? “I don’t know. I don’t try to think what people think. I think what is important is that we are united. This team has a top quality attitude. We have shown that in the game. We were united and committed. After that people can take what they like. We have to accept that. What is important is what we do inside the club.”
